Separator for well pumps



PIE N 194@ w. A. OBANNON SEPARATOR FOR WELL PUMPS Filled Feb. 17, i941 g INVENOR Wa/ef A( @27a/mm ATToFz-'JE often causes the well to ow by heads.

Patented Apr. l1, 1944 UNITED STATES-'PATENT OFFICE 2,346,602 sErAnAron Foa WELL PUMPS Walter A. OBannon, Tulsa, Okla. Application February 17, 1941, Serial No. 379,265

6 Claims.

This invention relates to well pumping equipment, and more particularly to a bottom hole separator for use in connection with the intake of a Well pump, and has for its principal object to provide a separator of this character which eiectively eliminates entrained gas from the well liquid so that only clean, dead liquid is delivered to the pump.

In accomplishing this and other objects of the invention, I have provided improved details of structure, the preferred forms of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawing, wherein:

Fig. l is a vertical section through the lower portion of a well equipped with an oil and gas separator embodying the features of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a cross-section on the line 2 2 of Fig. l.

Fig. 3 is a similar section on Fig. l.

Fig. t is an enlarged fragmentary view of the separator, particularly illustrating the baliie located between the oil inlets at the bottom of the separator and the gas outlets at the upper end of the separator.

Fig. 5 is a vertical section form of the invention.

Referring more in detail to the drawing:

I designates the bore-hole of an oil well extending from the surface of the earth to the producing formation 2 from which the well fluids, usually consisting of oil and gas, iiow into the pocket or shot-hole 3. The bore-hole I is provided with the usual casing 4 that is set on the cap-rock 5 above the formation 2.

Mounted in the well is a pumping unit including a barrel 6 having a piston 8, which is reciprocated by means of sucker rods or the like (not. shown) The pump also includes a standing valve 9 which seats in a shoe or collar I6 Xed to the lower end of the working barrel and which has an inwardly threaded skirt portion I I for connecting the separator I2 which constitutes the present invention.

The well fluid flowing into the pocket 3 often contains large quantities of gas which reduces the amount of fluid displaced by the pump, sometimes makes the pump completely inoperative, and

The separator I2 is, therefore, designed for separating the gas from the oil or well liquids before the liquids pass the standing valve and `iiow into the pump barrel. f

'I'he separator I2 includes an outer cylindrical shell It having an internally threaded upper end the line 3-3 of through a modified dit I4 threadedly connectedl with an externally threaded skirt I 5 on a swedge-shaped head I6. The head I6 also includes a reduced externally threaded top Il engaging the threaded skirt portion I I of the collar previously described.

The outer shell I3 is of such diameter thatit may be lowered freely through the casing 4 and of a length to extend from the location of the pump to the bottom of the well and form an anchor support for the pump. 'I'he lower end of the outer shell carries a bushing I8. having an externally threaded portion I9 engaging internal threads on the she as clearly shown in Fig. l. The bushing has an axial bore forming a cylindrical sleeve 26 at its upper end and an internally threaded opening 2l vat the lower portion thereof in which is threaded a bull-plug 22.

Located in the outer shell and extending coaxially therewith is an inner shell 23 of smaller diameter than the outer shell to provide an annular passageway 24 therebetween extendingv from the bottom to the top of the separator. The lower end of the inner shell is sleeved within the sleeve portion 2li of the bushing I8 and engagesl against an internal shoulder 25. The upper end of the inner shell is received in a counterbore 26 in the skirt portion of the head and seats against a shoulder 2l so that when the outer shell is in position and connected with the head I6 and bushing I8. the inner shell is retained coaxial and from longitudinal movement.

The outer shell is provided, adjacent the lower end, with a plurality of inlet openings 28, which openings are preferably located near the bottom of the pocket;l so that the liquid will ow thereinto when l lw levels are carried in the well, but the openings are at sulcient height that the heavier oil, which is substantially free from entrained gas, ows downwardly toward the bottom of the passageway 24 and through inlet openings 29 whichare formed in the lower end of the inner shell at a point directly above the bushing IB, which oil, being free of gas, may flow directly to the working barrel, through a pump inlet tube 30 positioned coaxially within the inner shell and having its upper end threadedly connected, as at 3|, with a bushing 32 threaded into the head of the separator, as indicated at 33. The lighter liquid, or that containing some gas, will rise upwardly in the passageway 24, but the now thereof is retarded by a baille 34. The baiiie 34, being of ring shape, closes the passageway above the liquid inlets but is provided with a series of openings 35 to allow passage of the gas to the upper -end of the passageway. Retardingy now of the liquid by the baille assists in the gas separation so that the separated liquid flows through a series of inlets 38 formed in the inner shell at a point above the baille but below the upper end thereof. The liberated gas continues to the upper end of the passageway and is discharged through openings 31 that are formed therein directly below the head I6. It is possible that some of the gas may still remain in entralnment with the liquid passing through the inlets 36, however, this gas will rise in the passageway 38 which encircles the tube 80 and is discharged through lateral ports 39 in the head I6. The liquid passing through the inlets 36, being freed oi' the gas, gravitates downwardly so that it may pass into the lower end of the tube 30 for flow into the pump.

It is thus apparent that the gas is separated in a series of stages, first where it passesy through the inlet openings 28, again where it passes through the openings of the baille, and where the liquid is diverted into the inner shell through the inlets 36. Therefore the liquid is effectively relieved of any entrained gas so that it is delivered in clean, dead state to the pump. thereby assuring a full volume displacement upon each stroke of the pump. Since the gas has been separated from the oil, there is no likelihood of the pump valves becoming gas locked which ordinarily interferes with the effectiveness of the pump and often results in rod breakage and stumng box trouble at the top of the well.

The form of the invention shown in Fig. is substantially the same as that just described, with the exception that the inlet tubing to the pump is eliminated and the head 40 of the separator is connected with a collar 4| which is fixed to the lower end oi the pump tube 42, the collar 4I being provided with a holddown for stationary barrel rod pumps, in which case the working barrel 43 of the pump is suspended coaxially within the inner shell and the lower end provided with a standing valve 44 which is positioned above the liquid inlets 45 in the lower end of the inner shell. Otherwise the shells and openings are arranged in the same manner as that described in the first form of the invention. The operation thereof is the same with the exception that the liquid passes from the inner shell directly to the intake of the pump.

From the foregoing it is obvious that I have provided a separator of simple and inexpensive construction, and which is capable of effectively eliminating entrained gas from being pumped.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A separator of the character described including, an elongated outer shell having inlet openings spaced upwardly from the lower end thereof for the inilow of well fluids and wherefrom the heavy liquid components of the inflow move downwardly within the shell and the lighter fluids containing gas rise upwardly within said shell, an inner shell cooperating with the outer shell to form an annular passageway therebetween for a divided upward and downward flow of said uids and having liquid inlet openings spaced a substantial distance below the inlet openings of the outer shell for inflow of heavy liquid from said passageway and having upper liquid inlet openings located at a point spaced a substantial distance above the for providing sumcient travel of the liquids to effect separation o! the contained gas, means closing the lower ends of said shells, a head closing the upper ends of the shells, said outer shell having gas outlet openings adjacent said head and inlet openings of the outer shell located above said -upper liquid inlet openings to provide a gas flow space for discharge of gas separated in said annular passageway, and a baille located in said annular passageway and spaced above said inlet openings ofthe outer shell and below said upper liquid inlet openings of the inner shell to retard upward flow of said lighter fluids in the passageway so that gas contained in the lighter fluids separates for discharge through the gas outlet openings of the outer shell and the lilqulild flows through said upper inlets of the inner s e 2. A separator of the character described including, an elongated outer shell having inlet openings spaced upwardly from the lower end `thereof for the inflow of well fluids and wherefrorn the heavy liquid components of the inflow move downwardly Within the shell and the lighter fluids containing gas rise upwardly within said shell, an'inner shell cooperating with the outer shell to form an annular passageway therebetween for the upward and downward flow of said fluids and having liquid inlet openings spaced below the inlet openings of the outer shell for inflow of heavy liquid from said passageway and having upper liquid inlet openings located at a point a substantial distance above the inlet openings of the outer shell, means closing the lower ends of said shells, a head closing the upper ends of the shells, said outer shell having gas outlet openings adjacent said head and above the upper liquid inlet openings of the inner shell to provide a gas flow space for discharge of gas separated in said annular passageway, and a baille located in said annular passageway and spaced above said inlet openings of the outer shell and below said upper liquid inlet openings of the inner shell to retard upward flow of said lighter'fluids in the passageway so that gas contained in the lighter fluids separates for discharge through the gas outlet openings of the outer shell and the liquid ows through said upper inlet openings'of the inner shell, said baffle comprising a ring encircling the inner shell and provided with openings for the flow of the lighter fluids therethrough.

3. In an apparatus of the character described, an elongated outer shell having inlet openings spaced upwardly from the lower'end thereof for the inflow of well fluids and wherefrom the heavy liquid components of the inflow move downwardly and the lighter uids containing gas rise upwardly within said shell, an inner shell cooperating with the outer shell to form an annular passageway therebetween for the upward and downward flow of said fluids and having liquid inlet openings spaced a substantial distance below the inlet openings of the outer shell for inow of heavy liquid from said passageway and having upper liquid inlet openings located at a substantial distance above the inlet openings of the outer shell, means closing the lower ends oi?v said shells, a head closing the upper ends of the shells, said outer shell having outlet openings near said head and spaced above the upper liquid inlet openings of the inner shell to provide a gas flow space therebetween for discharge of gas separated in said annular passageway, means located in said annular passageway and above said inlet openings of the outer shell and below vsaid upper liquid inlet openings of the inner shell to retard upward flow of said lighter fluids in the passageway so'that gas contained in the lighter fluids separates for discharge through the gas outlet openings of the outer shell and the liquid flows through said inner shell at a point upper inlet openings of-the inner shell, and a pump inlet member in the inner shell and having an inlet located within the inner shell at a point adjacent the lower inlet openings thereof.

4. In an apparatus of the character described, an elongated outer shell having inlet openings spaced upwardly from the lower end thereof for the inflow of well iluids and wherefrom the heavy liquid components of the inilow move downwardly and the lighter iiuids containing gas rise vupwardly within said shell, an inner shell cooperating with the outer shell toform an annular passageway therebetween for the upward and downward tlow of said iiuids and having liquid inlet openings spaced below the inlet openings of the outer shell for iniiow of heavy liquid from said passageway and having upper liquid inlet openings located at a point above the inlet openings oi the outer shell, means closing the lower ends oi said shells, a head closing the upper ends of the shells and having a bore therethrough, said outer shell having outlet openings near said head and spaced a distance above the upper liquid inlet openings to the inner shell to maintain a gas ow space therebetween for discharge of gas separated in said annular passageway, a baille located in said annular passageway and spaced above said inlet openings of the outer shell and below said upper liquid inlet openings of the inner shell to retard upward ilow of said lighter iiuids in the passageway so that gas contained in the lighter duids separates for discharge through the gas outlet openings of the outer shell and the liquid hows through said upper inlet openings oi the inner shell, said head having means adapted for supporting a pump. and a suction tube in the inner shell and having an inlet located within the acUacent the lower inlet openings thereof andf having an outlet at the upper end connected with the bore of said head.

5. In an apparatus of the character described,

t an elongated outer shell having inlet openings spaced upwardly from the lower end thereof for the inflow oi well fluids and wherefrom the heavy liquid components of the inflow move downwardly and the lighter iiuids containing gas rise upwardly within said shell, an inner shell cooperating with the outer shell to form an annular passageway for the upward and downward ilow oi said fluids and having liquid inlet openings spaced downwardly from the inlet openings of the outer shell for iniiowk of heavy liquid from said passageway and having upper liquid inlet openings located at a point above the inlet openings oi the outer shell, g

means closing the lower ends of said shells, a head closing the upper ends of the shells, said outer shell having outlet openings spaced a distance above the upper liquid inlet openings to the inner shell to maintain a gas iiow space therebetween for gas separated in said annular passageway, a baille located in said annular passageway and spaced above said inlet openings in the outer shell and below said upper liquid inlet openings of the inner shell to retard upward iiow in the passageway so that gas contained in the lighter liquid will separate in the passageway for discharge through the gas outlet at the upper end of the outer shell and the liquid will flow through said upper inlet openings of the inner shell, said baille comprising a ring encircling the inner shell and provided with openings for the retarded ow of the well duid therethrough. pump supporting means carried by said head and a pump inlet member located 'within the inner shell at a point 'adjacent the lower inlet openings thereof.

6. .A separator oi the character described including, an elongated outer shell having inlet openings spaced upwardly from the lower end thereof for the lnilow of well iluids and wherefrom the heavy liquid components of the inow move downwardly within the shell and the lighter fluids containing gas rise upwardly within said shell, an inner shell cooperating with the outer shell to form an annular passageway for dow of said fluids and having liquid inlet openings spaced downwardly from the inlet openings of the outer shell for inow oi the heavy liquid from said passageway and having upper liquid inlet openings located at a point above the inlet openings of the outer shell, means closing the lower ends of said shells, a head closing the upper ends of the shells, said outer shell having outlet openings adjacent the head and spaced a distance above the upper liquid inlet openings to the inner shell to provide a gas flow space therebetween for gas separated in said annular passageway, and a baille located in said annular passageway and spaced above said inlet openings in the outer `shell and below said upper liquid inlet openings of the inner shell and arranged to retard upward iiow in the passageway so that 'gas contained in the lighter liquid will separate in the passageway for discharge through the gas outlet at the upper end of the outer shell and the liquid will ilow through said upper inlets of the inner shell, said head having gas outlet openings connected 'with the interior of the inner shell above the gas outlet openings of the outer shell. WALTER. A. OBANNON. 

